“Our lockers (were close) in Buffalo. I got to know him – he’s a pretty good guy," Donte Whitner said of Fitzpatrick, whom he played with for the Bills in 2009 and '10. "I knew him when he had a beard, I don’t know if he has it any more. He’s a competitor. He can throw the football around – sometimes it hurts him, sometimes it doesn’t. It’s a risk-reward thing. He’s trying to prove he can play quarterback in the National Football League. They have a good running game. They’re a physical football team, and we have to be ready for the challenge.”

San Francisco defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said he and his unit are focusing more on the Titans offense than on who is under center. Fangio did agknowledge that, in the unlikely event Locker suits up and plays, there could be an emphasis on the read-option scheme.

The play-caller has respect for the quarterback he's more likely to see on the field on Sunday, even if Fitzpatrick isn't as athletic as Locker.

“They’re fortunate to have him as a backup," Fangio said of Fitzpatrick. "A guy that’s played a lot in the league. He’s played winning football in his past. He’s a very elusive guy. He’s a scrambler. He’s confident. He can make all of the throws. He’s got good arm strength. So I think they feel pretty good about him being in there.”

For more storylines surrounding the team, check out this edition of Morning Tailgate links, presented by State Farm.